PSU tripping circuit breaker?

[pingpong]

I recently had a PSU go bad (none of my mobos will post when hooked up to it), so I replaced it with an Antec 620W Eco. Problem is, this new one tends to trip the circuit breaker to the room as soon as I pres the power button, even when everything else in the room is off (it's a 15A breaker). However, when I plug the computer into another room, there's no problems, which initially lead me to think that maybe the breaker in the first room is bad. I've tried overlading the circuit in the room with an old, large (read: power hungry) plasma TV, 2 1200W hair dryers, and a large LCD TV without a problem, so it doesn't seem like the circuit breaker should be the issue. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

[JDay]

Sounds like a possible wiring issue, have you checked your grounds?

[pingpong]

I'm pretty sure it's the PSU itself because the same thing happens when I jump start it (not attached to anything else). This only flips the breaker in the one room, which happens to have an AFCI breaker. I guess my only course of action is to switch out the breaker for a new one and see if the problem persists.

[Paindoc]

If your construction is about 2005 or newer, and for sure with 2008 and newer, you may have a problem with the neutral wire of the circuit. Especially likely if the room has a three-way or 4-way light switch setup. If the neutral from a switch was "borrowed" for the circuit tripping, other devices on the circuit may be causing problems. Another common problem is when a dining room or rec room is wired off of a circuit from the kitchen or bathroom. The kitchen or bathroom circuit would be required to have a GFCI breaker, then the subsequent room if wired with an AFCI circuit would have double protection, and this sometimes is seen as recurring trips.
AFCI breakers are almost never bad, and about the only failure mode is when the TEST button will NOT cause it to trip. A recurring trip as you describe is most likely a wiring problem, or a device is being seen as an arc when it is actually not. Vacuums and TVs are the most common problems, but remember that a PSU is acting as a transformer by "switching" on and off VERY rapidly, and just might be interpreted as an arc!
One option if a new AFCI breaker doesn't solve the problem would be to replace it with a standard breaker, or a GFCI breaker. AFCI devices were developed to protect an individual from loose connections causing an intermittent arcing that could lead to a fire. First required in 2002, then "upgraded" so that most devices since 2005, and all since 2008, have included both AFCI and GFCI capabilities.

[GatorHunter]

Step up to a 20 amp breaker

[Caiden07]

If you know your way around working on AC check your outlet, sometimes loose connection shorts the circuit causing it to trip. Don't change out your breaker that's a bad idea, if they put 15A breaker then the wire gauge is enough to handle that load. If you step up the breaker their is change that the wire will heat up and catch fire. If you are sure that's the only one plug in on that breaker the 15 A should be enough for that 620W PSU. If you do the Math... Power = Current x Voltage from that equation you should be pulling about 5.16 A so that 15 A breaker is good.

[GatorHunter]

Yes it could be a loose wire but if you have a newer home the wire should be gauged correctly to handle the 20amp breaker. Its also a small possibility it could be the electrical outlet you have the psu plugged into and might be a good idea to replace that.

[JDay]

I'm pretty sure it's the PSU itself because the same thing happens when I jump start it (not attached to anything else). This only flips the breaker in the one room, which happens to have an AFCI breaker. I guess my only course of action is to switch out the breaker for a new one and see if the problem persists.

You can also test the PSU, testers are cheap.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817999011

EDIT: You could also try plugging the system into a UPS. Be aware that if the PSU uses an active PFC (most newer ones do) you will need a UPS that has a pure sine wave. One with a simulated sine wave will cause the PSU to shutdown or power-cycle.

[G17GUY]

Turn the breaker off, turn the PSU on. Turn the breaker back on. If the PSU works as normal than the breaker is noticing an ever so slight ARC within the PSU switch and is tripping the breaker.

This doesnot mean that the PSU is bad, it just means that the ARC fault breaker is hyper sensitive technology.

[pingpong]

It just occurred to me that Antec's RMA department is located in Fremont, so I'm just going to RMA both my PSU's and take it to them directly. Apparently they have pretty good customer service, and from other reports I should be able to just walk in, drop off the two PSUs, and walk out with the replacements.